Ten days later, the bitter cold of winter was finally beginning to recede, and the temperature in Konoha was gradually warming.
At the ninja hospital, thanks to Tatsuya's daily infusions of vast amounts of life force, Guy's condition was showing significant improvement.
During this period, Tatsuya's direct superior, Shisui, remained absent.
The trio had also gradually settled into the relaxed routine of the Konoha Military Police Force. With no official duties to speak of, Tatsuya spent his time researching ninjutsu and developing training plans for Sakawa and Yuuhi Teru.
Taking their individual circumstances into account, Tatsuya compiled some sealing jutsu training materials for Yuuhi Teru, while Sakawa received a specialized training regimen focused on taijutsu and basic ninjutsu. The Konoha Military Police Force headquarters conveniently had a dedicated training room, so all three of them could practice there.
Simultaneously, Tatsuya had inscribed a weakened version of the Fujinhoin onto both of them, with the effect reduced to half of the normal version. It wasn't that Tatsuya intentionally wanted to slow down their progress, but rather that they couldn't handle the full power of the Fujinhoin. Neither of them possessed the Akimichi clan's unique chakra imprint, making their efficiency in refining life energy much lower.
Even so, both of them felt a noticeable increase in their chakra refining speed.
After leaving the Police Force headquarters and treating Sakawa and Yuuhi Teru to a "consolation meal," Tatsuya headed alone towards the western district of the village.
On a street in the western district, a new pharmacy had just opened its doors today.
The pharmacy was named Ansei Hall, a branch established in Konoha by Yoshida Jin at Pakura's instruction, following Tatsuya's message.
By now, the name of Ansei Hall and its Six-Flavor Rehmannia Pills had spread throughout the entire ninja world.
The Six-Flavor Rehmannia Pills, capable of replenishing life energy, had immediately taken the market by storm. The wealthy used them as "happy pills," while the major powers in the ninja world considered them a strategic resource. The ability to replenish life energy made the Six-Flavor Rehmannia Pills a literal lifesaver for ninjas in critical situations!
However, at present, the Six-Flavor Rehmannia Pills were primarily used to build Ansei Hall's reputation. The supply was limited, making them a highly sought-after commodity that all the major powers in the ninja world were scrambling to acquire.
Besides the Six-Flavor Rehmannia Pills, Ansei Hall had also introduced a special type of military ration pill, which was their real main product. These ration pills had immediately begun circulating in the ninja world, their effectiveness surpassing ordinary military ration pills by several times.
While the price of individual ration pills might seem insignificant, their daily consumption was enormous, as ninjas typically carried them during training and on missions.
In Konoha, this newly opened Ansei Hall branch served as the exclusive distributor of these special military ration pills. Other factions wishing to purchase or sell large quantities of the pills could do so here wholesale.
It was already evening when Tatsuya arrived, and the shop was empty save for a few employees.
Tatsuya spent less than five minutes inside before emerging with a small bag containing ten special military ration pills.
After Tatsuya left, a figure dressed in Anbu attire emerged from the shadows of a nearby street corner. He glanced at the pharmacy and then continued to tail Tatsuya.
Tatsuya had, of course, been aware of this shadowy figure for some time. Ever since his return to Konoha, this covert surveillance had been constant.
However, this particular instance of surveillance felt different from the previous ones. This individual was practically glued to Tatsuya's side. It seemed they didn't care if Tatsuya noticed their tail, almost as if they were intentionally applying pressure.
Tatsuya had a strong suspicion that his tracker was from Root.
Furthermore, Tatsuya had once been a member of the Hokage's direct Anbu squad, giving him a certain understanding of Anbu protocols and operating procedures. If the Third Hokage and his advisors had any doubts about him, they would have first directly revoked his status as a member of the Hokage's Anbu to prevent him from using that position to further his own agenda. They wouldn't have made the surveillance so blatant.
As he walked down the street, a glint of killing intent flashed in Tatsuya's eyes.
That bastard Danzo is getting really brazen!
Currently, the name of Konoha's Anbu Squad 11 held considerable weight throughout the ninja world.
As a member of Anbu Squad 11, Tatsuya was, by all accounts, a meritorious ninja of Konoha's Anbu, possessing both strength and reputation that couldn't be ignored. Moreover, Tatsuya had the backing of the Akimichi clan.
Yet, even facing a ninja like Tatsuya, Root members dared to conduct such blatant surveillance. Their behavior could only be described as arrogant.
At the same time, Tatsuya's disappointment in the Third Hokage deepened. Danzo's brazen actions would be impossible without the Third's implicit consent or, at the very least, his acquiescence.
All of this stemmed from the suspicion and unease caused by the unknown.
Tatsuya's rise had been too rapid!
He had gone from a dead-last academy student to his current level in just three short years. Moreover, a large part of his methods and avenues for gaining strength remained unknown.
From his powerful summoning beasts to his rapid improvement in taijutsu and ninjutsu, none of it followed a clear, established path of growth, nor was it within the village's intelligence network's grasp.
For those accustomed to controlling everything, this was intolerable!
The Third Hokage, who often spoke of the Will of Fire, had clearly fallen from grace!
Although the Third had dedicated his life to Konoha, he and his equally aged companions who controlled Konoha's leadership had become a key factor in hindering the village's development.
The Third had indeed brought Konoha to great heights in the past by developing the ninja academy and promoting civilian ninjas. Still, some of his later decisions were utterly unacceptable to Tatsuya.
It could be said that many of Konoha's regrets were directly or indirectly caused by the Third's decisions.
The tragedy of Hatake Sakumo, Orochimaru's defection, the Uchiha clan massacre, and so on...
These events had directly led to the weakening of Konoha's strength.
Compared to Tsunade, who took on the mantle of Hokage during the crisis after Orochimaru's Konoha Crush, Tatsuya much preferred the latter.
From what he remembered, after Tsunade became the Fifth Hokage, her methods of handling village affairs were both firm and flexible. Even with Danzo and other old schemers constantly interfering, she was able to quickly restore Konoha's strength.
As Hokage, Tsunade was undoubtedly qualified and responsible.
Of course, Tatsuya's thoughts were also influenced by Tsunade's higher attractiveness and, ahem, assets.
After all, looks are justice.
Every man has the potential to be a Cao Cao(A historical figure who had preference for married woman). Even if you're going to be a simp, you should choose a beautiful one, right?
Therefore, at this moment, Tatsuya made a secret decision. When Orochimaru defected from Konoha and returned to cause trouble, he absolutely couldn't use too much force. He had to let the woman he liked take the position.
Even if that woman was an older woman, she was at least a beautiful older woman.
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